Last year after Christmas, I found the perfect ornament for a family member at a perfect price of 50 cents. Then I found the perfect place to put it so I’d find it this year.

I have a small dresser that is set aside as my “gift spot.” When I buy presents well in advance of a holiday because I’ve found a great deal or when I order cards months before a birthday because of an online freebie, I don’t want to forget about them and go out and buy more stuff. That wouldn’t be a wise use of my money. So as I buy gifts I put them all in that one spot and when I need presents or cards I check the cupboard to see what I already have in stock.

I’ve discovered that saving money is sometimes as much about being organized as it is about finding cheap prices.